Malda: Toto driver murdered after dispute over non-payment of fare

Malda: A toto (e-rickshaw) driver was allegedly murdered by passengers in Malda following an altercation over non-payment of fare.

The incident took place near the local police outpost, in the Belbari Ghat area under the English Bazar police station, on the night of January 21. The victim, identified as Kajol Ghosh (45) was a resident of Baroduari in Ramkeli.

Ghosh had taken passengers to the Belbari Ghat crematorium and after dropping them off, demanded his fare. An altercation ensued when the passengers, Shyamal Mondal and Bimal Mondal, refused to pay. Both passengers, reportedly intoxicated, attacked Kajol with a sharp weapon. Kajol was severely injured and later died in the hospital while being rushed for treatment. A written complaint has been filed with the English Bazar Police Station naming Shyamal Mondal, Bimal Mondal and others involved in the crime. The victim’s younger brother Ujjwal Ghosh said: “We have identified the culprits and told the police who had reached the spot. We demand exemplary punishment of the perpetrators who can kill a man on such a trifling matter.”

Police sources stated that both Bimal and Shyamal are absconding and a hunt is on to nab them.